Stretching Apparatus

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a stretching apparatus which is used to stretch the posterior muscles and tendons by means of powered stretching movements. The apparatus comprises a body ( 102 ), a seat area ( 101 ) a moveable handle grip ( 111 ) and foot pedals ( 105 ). In use grips ( 111 ) are moved forward whilst the user keeps his or her legs straight. That movement stretches some of the posterior muscles (including the back and buttock muscles). Further movement of the foot pedals  105  toward the user stretches his or her upper and lower leg muscles. The stretching movements could be mechanical, e.g. spring or worm screw actuated, or other power could be used. Electronic control ( 120 ) of the apparatus is described.

The present invention relates to stretching apparatus, in particular, but not exclusively for stretching exercises, before, during and/or after exertion such as competing in sports activities and for rehabilitation of sports injuries.

Stretching is usually carried out by means of contorting the body so as to individually extend certain muscle groups and associated tendons. These stretches are often carried out before an activity, so-called warm-up, and after an activity, so called warm-down. However, these stretches are sometimes overlooked or not carried out correctly, often due to ignorance as to correct procedures required. Shortened or tight muscles which have not been stretched correctly are thought to be the main cause of sports injury.

It is not just athletes and sportspersons that benefit from stretching. Most persons can benefit from stretching, for example, to improve posture, circulation, and ease muscle, joint or back pain.

The inventor has further realised that the muscles and tendons associated with back stretching, including, but not limited to, the shoulders, deltoids, upper back, lumber area (lower back), gluteus (minimus, medius maximus) and hamstrings (to some extent), and the muscles and tendons associated with leg stretching, including but limited to, the hamstrings (to some extent), calf muscles and Achilles tendons, all require particular attention when stretching, to avoid injury. These muscles are called posterior muscles in this description.

The inventor has realised that factors such as the extent, length of time in the extended position and speed of elongation of the stretch have to be correctly controlled to minimise the risks of sports injuries resulting from improperly stretched muscles and tendons. Even though stretching exercises like ‘touching ones toes’ can be performed for stretching the back and leg muscles, it is often found that people compensate for, say, tight leg muscles by over bending their backs, and vice versa. The inventor has realised that apparatus for correctly stretching at least the posterior muscle groups mention above is required.

According to the invention there is provided stretching apparatus comprising means for stretching the posterior muscles and tendons by means of powered stretching movements of the apparatus, the apparatus including a body having a seat area, at least one powered foot pedal mounted to the body and arranged or arrangeable with the seat area for generally straight-legged sitting of a user, and a powered handle mounted to the body and arranged for pulling the user forwardly to cause said powered stretching movements.

In one embodiment the apparatus is adapted such that the handle is powered for pulling the user forwardly preferably followed by powered movement of the foot pedal(s) in substantially the opposite direction for further powered stretching movements.

Conveniently, said handle includes a pair of hand grips.

Preferably, said grips are moveable generally away from said seat area and toward said pedals for causing said stretching for the posterior muscles and tendons associated with back stretching.

Preferably said grips include a pair of grips with adjustable relative positions.

Conveniently, said foot pedal(s) are moveable generally to cause the toes of the feet of the user to move back toward said seat area whilst his or her legs are generally straight, thereby providing stretching movements of the posterior muscles and tendons associated with the legs.

Preferably said pedal(s) is/are pivotable. In an embodiment the powered stretching movements of the grips and pedal(s) is brought about by stored mechanical energy, such as that provided by tensioned or compressed resilient means such as a spring, cable or elasticated member.

Alternatively, or in addition to the stored mechanical energy, said powered stretching movements may be brought about by one or more of electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically powered actuators.

Further alternatively said powered stretching movements are brought about by mechanical energy produced by the user, for example the squeezing of a lever using the hand of the user.

In an embodiment, the apparatus includes mechanical stops and/or sensors operable to predefine the limit of the extent said stretching movements.

The apparatus may include stretching movement dampers or other control of stretching movements to restrict the velocity of said movements.

More preferably the damping or other control of release movements in the opposite direction to said stretching movements is provided.

Even more preferably, said stretching movements are to a first extent and are followed by release movements in the opposite direction to the stretching movements, in turn followed by further stretching movements to a second extent of a greater distance than the first extent, followed by further release movements, and optionally further stretching movements with increasing extent, until a predefined extent has been obtained, each of the stretching movements being followed by further release movements.

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a stretching machine having elements in an initial position;

FIG. 2 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 having elements in a different position;

FIG. 3 shows the embodiment of FIG. 1 having elements in a yet different position;

FIG. 4 shows a second embodiment of a stretching machine; and

FIGS. 5 to 10 show a third embodiment of a stretching machine.

FIGS. 11 to 15 show a fourth embodiment of the invention.

Referring to FIG. 1 the stretching apparatus comprises a body 2 which includes feet 3 and a seat area 1. The body 2 adjustably supports a frame 14 and supports also a foot pedal assembly which includes foot pedals 5.

The frame member can be adjustably positioned on the frame, in this case by slackening lever 4 and sliding the frame rearwards toward the seat area or forwards, away from the seat area. The frame includes handle grips 11, which are initially positioned so that the user 100 is sat roughly upright, with his or her feet resting on the pedals 5, legs straight, as shown in FIG. 1.

The apparatus further includes a means for moving the grips 11 away from the user—i.e. away from the seat area. In this case there is a headstock 7 mounted to the frame 14. A shaft 10 slides in the headstock 7, and is pulled, in this case, by a spiral spring 13 when a thumb operative spring is release lever 12 adjacent the grips 11 is pressed and held. Releasing the lever stops the movement. This movement pulls the user's torso in the direction of the foot pedals and so stretches the back muscles and tendons of the user and to some extent, the rear upper leg muscles.

A position as shown in FIG. 2 is then achieved. The spring 13 is still wound and then acts on the foot pedals 5 via a cable and pulley system 21. The cable to the foot pedals is tensioned, resulting in the pedals being pivoted toward the user which causes the feet and toes of the user to move backwards and stretch also the lower rear leg muscles and tendons. A position as shown in FIG. 3 is thus achieved.

Following stretching the apparatus can return to its original position, assisted by return springs 9 and 6 acting on the shaft 10 and foot pedals 5 respectively. The user can also pull the grips backwards to charge the spring 13. The user can set a movement stop 8 to provide different degrees or extents of stretching and these positions can be increased to provide increasing amounts of stretching.

If the frame is initially positioned further away from the seat, then the apparatus can suit individuals with different initial flexibilities, so that their initial position is more bent forward if the frame 14 is initially further away from the seat 1.

FIG. 4 shows apparatus which is similar in mechanical construction to the apparatus of FIGS. 1 to 3, however, in this embodiment, control of the movements of the apparatus is largely controlled by electronic means and powered actuators. Parts similar in construction to the parts described above have like reference numerals.

The apparatus of FIG. 4 includes a raised base 103 on which the body 1 rests. The base houses control means as described in more detail below. In place of a spring 13, this apparatus includes powered actuator 110, pneumatically powered in this instance, which pulls the user's torso for stretching. A further powered actuator 115 is provided to push the users feet backwards as described above. Return springs 9 and 6 assist in the returning of the respective actuators to their initial positions, but it will apparent that release movements caused by reversing the direction of movement of the actuators could also be employed.

The sequence of stretching is controlled to be as described above, so that initial back stretching is carried out first followed by leg stretching. These functions can be controlled by the user at an interface 8, which includes push buttons and a display. The base houses a computer 120, an air pump unit 118, an air reservoir 117, and a power supply or power input 119.

In a preferred mode of operation, the apparatus is manually adjusted so that the user is sitting on the apparatus as shown, not stretching, but with legs straight. The amount of stretching can be entered via the interface 8. Stretching consists of powering of the actuator 110 to cause the grips 11 to move away from the user, and then powering of the actuator 115 to push the feet back. These movements have the effect of stretching the back and rear leg muscle and their respective tendons.

The movements can be limited at first and repetitive, but increasing in extent so that stretching is increased each time it is performed. For safety the apparatus incorporates sensors in the connection 116 and 121 between the pump 118 and the respective actuators 110 and 115 which detect the pressure in the connections. An increase in pressure is indicative of a high resistance to the stretching movement and thus the user may be exerting them too much. In that case the pump can be switched off or reversed to avoid potential injury to the user.

FIG. 5 shows a third embodiment of a stretching machine. This machine works in a similar manner to the machines described above, although its construction is different. Parts similar in function to the parts described above have like reference numerals, but prefixed with the number 1.

In FIG. 5 a seat 101 is incorporated into a lower frame section 102. The frame section 102 includes an upstand 103. The upstand 103 supports a height adjustable mount 114. The mount 114 supports handle grips 111 which are moveable back and forth in the direction of arrow A.

Upstand 103 supports also pedals 105 which again are moveable back and forth in direction of arrow B. The movement of the handle grips 111 and feet pedals 105 is brought about by electrical linear actuators 110 and 104. These actuators are controlled individually by electrical switches mounted on handle grips 111 (and are described further below). Power for these actuators is provided from a battery housed within a battery box 109.

FIG. 6 shows the machine shown in FIG. 5 in use. A user 100 is positioned on the seat 101 in a generally upright position so that he or she is not stretching. Handle grips 111 are extended by actuator 110. Graduations 112 on the shaft of the linear actuator 110 allow repeatable positioning of the handle grips for successive stretching exercises. The footrests 105 are generally upright so that, again, the user is not stretching his muscles initially.

Referring to FIG. 7 the user 100 has actuated the linear actuator 110 so that the handle grips 111 are pulled in the direction of arrow A₁. The user 100 can manually hold the actuator switch closed until he or she feels that they can stretch no more, or until a predefined actuator 110 position has been reached.

Following directly on from the movement A₁ FIG. 8 shows further actuation of linear actuator 104 in the direction of arrow B₁ such that the user's feet are pivoted backwardly. Thus, the user stretches his muscles further. The user can close the actuation switch to provide a comfortable level of stretching, whereafter, release of the actuation switch will stop further movement in the direction of arrow B₁. Again a predefined movement can be reached before movement B₁ is stopped.

FIGS. 9 and 10 show further details of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 5 to 8. In particular, FIG. 9 shows handle grips 111 which can be pivoted in the direction of arrow C about pivot point 113, to increase the number of muscles stretched. Additionally, in this view rocker switches 116 are illustrated which provide movement of the actuators 110 and 104 in the forward [S] or reverse [R] directions. FIG. 7 show additionally the operating triggers 115 which operate the actuators 110 and 104. Actuation of the trigger with the rocker switch 116 in a first position [S] will cause stretching motion of the actuators and actuation of the trigger with the rocker switch 116 in a second [R] position will cause releasing movement of the respective actuator.

In the embodiment described immediately above seat 101 includes a vibrating pad which increases blood circulation to the buttocks area and thereby enhances the therapeutic effect of the stretching exercise. The pad is operated by a button 117 shown in FIG. 9. The mount 114 is height adjustable in the direction of arrow D by means of a rack and pinion arrangement. This allows the height of the handle grips 111 relative to the seat 101 to be adjusted to suit the user 100. Seat 101 may be pivoted with respect to the remaining frame 102 so that the overall length of the machine can be reduced for storage purposes. As well as the graduations 112 of the linear actuator 110 further graduations may be included on the linear actuator 104 so that the user can judge the amount of stretching of his lower legs.

In the embodiment described immediately above various electronic enhancements can be provided. For example, the amount of current consumed by the linear actuators can be monitored and an automatic cut out can be incorporated to inhibit misuse and injury. A memory device can be employed to allow a user to re-set the machine to a comfortable initial position. Further, the memory can be use to stretch the user a little more each time the machine is used.

FIGS. 11, 12 and 13 show a fourth embodiment of the invention which is similar in construction to the third embodiment, where like parts have like reference numerals. FIG. 11 shows the starting position of the apparatus, FIG. 12 shows the apparatus with the grips 11 pulled forwards, and FIG. 13 shows the final position of the apparatus with the foot pedals pushed backwards.

FIG. 14 is a view of the fourth embodiment with its covering panels removed. The height of the grips 111 is adjustable by means of an electrically powered actuator 140 which is mounted to upstand 103. The actuator 140 is covered in use by an elastomeric bellows 142 shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13.

In this embodiment a heated mat 160 is also provided to warm the legs of the user. The mat can produce infrared radiation. The mat may vibrate to massage the backs of the legs. The heat and massage effect is particularly useful in sport rehabilitation. A LCD display 150 is provided so that a user can observe the distance moved by the actuators 110 and 104. The display can provide a distance read out or it could be a bar graph display or the like.

The grips 111 used in the fourth embodiment are illustrated in FIG. 15. The grips include a pulse monitor 120 for each hand, a seat vibration activation switch 124, a grip height adjustment rocker switch 126, stretching movement switches 130 and 132, one for the grip forward pulling movement and one for the foot pedal rearward movement, a timer adjuster 128 and a reset switch 122. In operation, the actuators 104 and 110 can be operated by either one of buttons 130 or 132 and the actuators will only operate when those buttons are held. The reset button starts a timer, adjustable via adjuster 128, and at the end of the selected time period, the actuators are returned to their starting positions (as shown in FIG. 11).

Embodiments only have been described and illustrated, however it will be apparent that many variants, and additions are possible within the ambit of the invention. For example, the mechanically driven version of the apparatus shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 could have many different mechanisms for applying the stretching movement. Also the frame 14 illustrated could be adjustable on the body 2, by using alternative mechanisms such as worm screws, rack and pinions, or even a simple bar with holes at different locations along its length for a pin securing pin. The power to cause the stretching movements could be derived from stored mechanical energy, such as the spring 13 shown, or by use movement such as progressively squeezing a trigger, or pedalling to cause a ratchet effect. Additionally, mechanisms such as worm screws, and rack and pinions could be employed to cause such movements.

The powered version shown in FIG. 4 has an air pump and reservoir, although other means providing the stretching movements could be employed, for example, electrical actuators, including geared motors or solenoid type devices, hydraulic rams driven by a hydraulic pump, or a combination of such devices.

It is envisaged that the structural parts of the apparatus such as the body and frame will be made from metal, such as steel, although portable versions made predominantly from aluminium or composite materials such as carbon fibre, or thermoplastics, or combinations of these materials could be produced with equal effect.

The control of the stretching movements of the apparatus allow a stretching program to be followed, for example a memory can be incorporated in the computer 120 which can match user details with a defined stretching program. Such a program might include steadily increasing extent of stretching over a number of days or weeks.

Although moveable grips have been described and illustrated, it could be that the grips are static and the foot pedals are adjustable relative to the frame. In either case a different mode of operation could be employed whereby the user holds the grips and slides backwards by pushing with his or her feet until his or her legs are straight, but he or she is bent forwards in the initial back muscle stretching position. Further stretching of the lower leg muscles by articulating the foot pedals can then be carried out to complete the stretch.

In the embodiments it is suggested that the back muscles are stretched first followed by the lower leg muscles. Of course this order could be reversed.

Movement dampers may be employed to restrict either the stretching movements employed or the release movements in the opposite direction, or both movements. Such dampers could be the traditional type for example a piston moving in a viscous fluid such as oil, or other damping means such as a restriction on the rate of fluid flow or electrical current flow in a circuit used to power an actuator used for said movements.

Handlegrips 11 may be further moveable by pivoting about an axis roughly parallel to the straight legs of the user. This movement, particularly upward pivotal movement and through 180 degrees to a downward pivotal movement, stretches muscles and tendons associated with arm stretching, including the triceps, biceps and to some extent the deltoids.

The apparatus described stretches several major posterior muscle groups including the back, lower torso, ham strings, calf muscles, and Achilles tendons. Stretching all these groups in one go drastically reduces the time for warm-up/down. Examples of people who would benefit from use of the apparatus include athletes, dancers, sportspersons and persons requiring physiotherapy. It is envisaged that the apparatus can be portable if required, for use outside next to sports fields, in user's homes, and the like. 

1. A stretching apparatus for stretching the posterior muscles and tendons by means of powered stretching movements of the apparatus, the apparatus comprising a body having a seat area, at least one powered foot pedal mounted to the body and arranged with the seat area for generally straight-legged sitting of a user, and a powered handle mounted to the body and arranged for pulling the user forwardly to cause the powered stretching movements.
 2. Stretching apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein is adapted such that the handle is powered for pulling the user forward for stretching movements and the foot pedal is powered for movement in substantially the opposition direction for further stretching movements.
 3. Stretching apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the handle is moved first followed by the foot pedal.
 4. Stretching apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein, the handle includes hand grips.
 5. Stretching apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein, the grips are moveable generally away from the seat area and toward the foot pedal for causing stretching of the posterior muscles and tendons.
 6. Stretching apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein, the grips include a pair of grips with adjustable relative positions.
 7. Stretching apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foot pedal(s) are moveable generally to cause toes of the feet of the user to move back toward the seat area while legs of the user are generally straight.
 8. Stretching apparatus as claimed in claim 7 wherein, the pedals are pivotable on the body.
 9. Stretching apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein the height of the grips is adjustable relative to the seat area.
 10. Stretching apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the stretching movements are caused by stored mechanical energy.
 11. Stretching apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the stretching movements are caused by one or more of electrically, pneumatically or hydraulically powered actuators.
 12. Stretching apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the stretching movements are caused by mechanical energy produced by the user.
 13. Stretching apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the apparatus includes mechanical stops and/or sensors operable to predefine the limit of the extent the stretching movements.
 14. Stretching apparatus as claimed in claim 1 further including stretching movement dampers or other control of stretching movements to restrict the velocity of the movements.
 15. Stretching apparatus as claimed in claim 14 wherein, the damping or other control of release movements in the opposite direction to the stretching movements is provided.
 16. Stretching apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein, the stretching movements to a first extent are followed by release movements in the opposite direction to the stretching movements, in turn followed by further stretching movements to a second extent of a greater distance than the first extent, followed by further release movements, and optionally further stretching movements with increasing extent, until a predefined extent has been obtained, each of the stretching movements being followed by further release movements.
 17. Stretching apparatus as claimed in claim 4 wherein the grips are pivotable and thereby provide means for stretching the muscle and tendons associated with arm stretching.
 18. Stretching apparatus as claimed in claim 17 wherein, the means includes pivotable hand grips. 